Okay, I—that being the writer of this ZIP post—am relatively old. I saw George Lucas’ Star Wars when it came out in 1977, or maybe it was 1978, as the prints took some time to get to Australian cinemas.
Not 100 percent sure, but I can still remember it as I saw it twice, with the second time being in an old leaky theater in a bush town in northern New South Wales where the projector broke down (and restarted) during the final battle to destroy the Death Star. For several seconds the film just stopped on a single frame of an X-wing Starfighter (like above) diving to attack the Death Star.
After a brief pause, the film got rolling again.
I was about eight or nine years of age. It was an awesome cinema experience. Simply unforgettable.
The thrill of seeing Star Wars was a shared experience as it was a global phenomenon. Overall, it was an immense pop cultural moment, especially for America, as shown in the above 12-minute-long video What It Was Really Like To See Star Wars In 1977.
So, press the top left play button on the above feature image so the video can pop up for you to watch.
Back then, Star Wars blasted onto the silver screen with an energy and excitement that shook the world. Transporting audiences to a galaxy far, far away, where rebels fought against the evil Empire and the Force, a mystical energy that binds all things, was discovered by a young farm boy named Luke Skywalker.
The film’s groundbreaking special effects were astounding for the time, with roller-coaster space battles and fantastic creatures that had never been seen before on the big screen. But Star Wars was more than just a technical achievement; it was a story that captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.
At its core, it was a classic tale of good versus evil, with relatable characters that audiences could root for. Luke, Han Solo, and Princess Leia became instant cultural icons, inspiring a generation of young people to dream of adventure and heroism.
Its $ impact went far beyond the box office, as Star Wars merchandise flooded store shelves and the film’s themes and characters became a part of the cultural lexicon. “May the Force be with you” became a catchphrase, and the iconic score by John Williams became instantly recognizable.
Guess in the end, Star Wars was more than just a movie; it was a phenomenon that captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation and continues to do so to this day. Its legacy is not just in the film itself but in the countless stories, books, and films that it has inspired, making it one of the most influential pop culture moments in history.
Here are some little-known Star Wars trilogy facts you might not have heard of before:
- The phrase “I have a bad feeling about this” appears in every single Star Wars movie.
- Yoda was initially intended to be played by a monkey wearing a mask and carrying a cane.
- The sound of the lightsabers clashing was created by a combination of the hum of an old movie projector and the buzzing sound of an old TV set.
- The character of Jabba the Hutt was not originally meant to be a giant slug-like creature but rather a humanoid alien.
- The sound of the Millennium Falcon’s engines was created by mixing the sound of a car driving on a wet road with the roar of an elephant.
- The language spoken by the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi is a combination of Tibetan and Nepalese.
- Carrie Fisher’s stunt double in Return of the Jedi was a man named Tracey Eddon, who was a champion gymnast.
- The opening crawl of the original Star Wars movie was inspired by the Flash Gordon serials of the 1930s.
- The famous “Luke, I am your father” line is often misquoted; the actual line is “No, I am your father.”
- The sound of the TIE fighters’ engines was created by mixing the sound of an elephant and the sound of a car driving on wet pavement.
- The role of Han Solo was originally offered to Kurt Russell, but he turned it down in order to star in the movie The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.
